Principle-Based Community Guidelines

Principle-based community guidelines are a strategic approach to defining a community's code of conduct. Unlike traditional rulebooks that list prohibitions, this method establishes positive, aspirational principles that describe desired behaviour. It functions as a social contract, empowering members to understand and contribute to the community's intended culture, rather than simply avoiding punishment. By focusing on the 'why' behind the rules, this approach fosters shared ownership of the community's health.

Why it matters — Principle-Based Community Guidelines

Adopting a principle-based framework for your community guidelines offers significant advantages over a simple list of 'dos and don'ts'. This approach is fundamental to building a resilient and positive culture:

• Fosters a Positive Culture: Principles frame expectations in a positive light, providing a vision of what the community strives to be. This encourages members to actively contribute to a constructive environment, rather than passively avoiding breaking rules.

• Empowers Self-Moderation: When members understand the underlying principles, they are better equipped to make good judgements in ambiguous situations. This fosters personal responsibility and encourages peer-to-peer guidance towards the community's shared values.